In today’s digital world, having access to reliable, high-speed internet service is crucial to running a business, especially for organizations that rely heavily on the cloud for apps and data storage. This is why fiber optic internet is a popular choice among small businesses these days. After all, it is more reliable and has better speed than any other type of internet connection. Keep reading to learn more about fiber optic internet and how it can benefit your small business.

What Is Fiber Optic Internet?

Fiber optic internet is a broadband connection where data travels at a very high speed through cables filled with plastic fibers or thin glass. Its speed can go up to 940 Megabits per second (Mbps) while also ensuring data transmission without any loss in signal. It can deliver higher connection speed for multiple users. This is different from cable internet, where network speed slows down when traffic is high.

With other amazing advantages such as improved cloud connectivity, VoIP capabilities, and better bandwidth, fiber optic networks are a great option for your small business to stay well connected.

What Are the Types of Fiber Optic Cable Internet?

There are three types, and they each deliver fiber optic internet at different speeds.

• FTTN (Fiber-to-the-Node): Fiber optic cables reach within one mile of your building. It’s the slowest of the three.
• FTTC (Fiber-to-the-Curb): Fiber extends to the utility pole outside your building, where a coaxial cable takes over.
• FTTP: (Fiber-to-the-Premises): The fastest and most reliable connection; the fibers come directly to your door.

Top Benefits of Using Fiber Optic Internet

More Reliable

Businesses today need highly reliable internet service and data transmission—and that’s exactly what fiber internet provides. Fiber optic cable is not affected by temperature changes, bad weather, or moisture; therefore, it’s completely immune to many environmental factors which affect copper cables. Since they can withstand harsh environments, fiber optic cables are ideal for rugged environments like the outdoors, long-distance, and industrial applications.

Even if lightning strikes a fiber cable or it comes into contact with rainwater, communication can still go on as usual. Fiber cables do not contain any metallic components, making them comparatively safer. The core is made of glass, an insulator, so that no electric current can flow through. Moreover, it’s immune to electromagnetic and radio-frequency interference, crosstalk, resistance problems, and more.

Fiber cables can be submerged in water, and they can be run next to industrial equipment without any problems. Due to these reasons, fiber is much more reliable than copper and is at far less risk of disconnections and downtime than services delivered by cable.

Higher Bandwidth and Increased Speed

Fiber optic internet provides a much higher bandwidth to carry more data than any other technology or copper cables with the same diameter. If your business uses a copper connection, your bandwidth will be severely limited. However, with fiber optics, your bandwidth is practically endless. This means that you can send and receive more data at once, speeding up your connectivity and improving efficiency.

In addition to higher bandwidth, fiber also offers greater speed. Copper internet can never provide the incredible speed fiber optic offers, especially when uploading. Normally, upload and download speeds are different, and often download speeds are 10x higher than upload speeds. However, fiber optic supplies symmetrical speeds, so upload and download speeds are identical.

Improved speed is especially beneficial with the increase in video conferencing. With fiber internet, you will no longer have to worry about missing important information because your internet slowed down and the video paused at a crucial moment.

Decreased Latency

Fiber internet provides you with faster cloud access and decreased latency, enabling improved download and upload time due to fiber’s symmetric speed. Naturally, this allows for more immediate access to resources. In addition, its low latency also enables fiber connections to carry data across longer distances reliably and without delays or interruptions.

Expenditure

Though at present, fiber cable is more expensive than copper cable, the cost of fiber cable, its components, and equipment is steadily decreasing and will most likely be more affordable in the future.

Either way, regardless of its initial costs, fiber internet is more beneficial to small businesses since it costs less to maintain, has less downtime, and requires less networking hardware. Moreover, advances in field termination technology have reduced the cost of fiber installation.

Security

Copper lines or wireless connections can be easily tapped, but with fiber cable, your data is safe. Since it doesn’t radiate signals, it is almost impossible to tap into. This is because signals traveling through a fiber cable are contained inside individual fiber strands and can only be accessed if the cable is cut from the end. If this does happen, there will be a network breakdown, and it will become apparent that the physical security has been tampered with, immediately alerting everyone responsible about the issue.

Fiber networks also enable you to put all your electronics and hardware in one central location instead of having wiring closets with equipment throughout the building.

Scalability

Another major benefit of fiber optic internet connectivity is that your business will gain scalability. As your organization grows and more applications and services move to the cloud, your online access will also need to expand to support new employees and servers. A fiber connection can help you with these initiatives, saving you a lot of money and providing your business with space to grow.

Cost-Effective and More Resilient

Fiber cables are cost-effective in many ways. They are very reliable, whereas copper cables have unreliable connectivity that can increase costs and decrease productivity for small businesses.

Compared to copper cables, fiber optic cables are less prone to damage and breakage, are very flexible, and can bend easily. They can withstand more pull pressure than copper and resist most corrosive elements that often impact copper cables.

Fiber optic cables are fully-resistant to electromagnetic interference (EMI), lightning, or radio signals. In contrast, copper cables are known to conduct electricity, making copper networks vulnerable to induced power, lightning, and signal scrambling.

Additionally, unlike copper cables, fiber optic networks are not vulnerable to harsh weather conditions, which can interfere with or stop data transmission.

Fiber optic internet allows incredible data speed and efficiency. So if you wish to stay connected with your business partners, investors, or target audience and ensure smooth functioning, fiber optic internet is the best option. To learn more about whether fiber optic internet is the right choice for your business, contact the experts at Data Safe Group LLC today!